Finally, you will want to publish your family history. Although this seems like the last step in the process, it's a good idea to consider this aspect early on. In fact, if you intend to work with a professional publisher or print shop, it's smart to show them your very first chapter so you have a sample to use as the basis for discussion. This discussion will likely include which kind of paper to use, which printing process is most appropriate, how many illustrations to use and whether they'll be in color, how the finished product will be bound, and of course, how much all of this will cost you. Working this all out up-front can save you some unpleasant surprises at the final production stage.

Since you've gone to so much trouble to write the family history, it's also worth factoring in the durability of your published history. Paying extra for that acid-free paper, for example, may be a very prudent investment. For additional considerations in preserving your family records and history, see the Protecting Your Familiy's Past extra from the Records at Risk episode.